International Bus Benchmarking Group Data

Caroline Pidgeon: In your response to Question 2017/168 you promised “the 2017 data will be published later this year, and TfL will be publishing backdated results from 2012 onwards in due course” but in Question 2019/17335 you promised “IBBG data is collected by Imperial College on behalf of all members. It has not yet anonymised 2017 data or analysed 2018 data. TfL is considering how best to share future benchmarking work.” Why are you backtracking on your already stated commitment to publish IBBG data in a timely and transparent fashion? When will this data be published?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has in the past published data from the International Bus Benchmarking Group as part of an International Benchmarking report. The most recent data published was for 2016. The data moves slowly, with little change seen year-over-year, and given the complexity of preparing the reports, TfL therefore does not consider that the existing format for publication of annual data represents the best use of resource.
TfL intends to publish a simplified synopsis of the 2018 IBBG data later this year. This will include historic trends including 2017 data. TfL will review whether to publish IBBG data in this new format in the future.

Bus Safety Performance Index (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: Following up on Question 2019/19603, TfL previously made its Bus Safety Performance Index available for public scrutiny on a link which no longer works. Can you provide me with a working link to the Bus Safety Performance Index?

The Mayor: The latest Bus Safety Performance Index can be found on this page: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/bus-safety-data
Transport for London (TfL) apologises for the broken link. This likely occurred because the document suffix changed when it was updated from Period 1 to Period 6, although the file remained available throughout on the page linked above. TfL will change the name of the document to be more generic so that this does not happen again.

Corporate Governance and Reporting Standards for TfL’s Surface Transport Contractors

Caroline Pidgeon: Based on your rejection of Questions 2018/2118, 2018/2119, 2018/2120 and 2019/0463, why does TfL refuse to ensure that its Corporate Governance Standard for its Surface Transport contractors is at least as good as the one a court imposed on Uber on 26th June 2018?

The Mayor: Safety is Transport for London’s (TfL’s) top priority, and it believes the processes set out in answers to previous Mayor’s Questions represent the best approach to ensuring the same is true of its contractors. All contractors are called to account for their safety, health and environmental performance, and this is monitored through regular performance meetings. Assurance assessments are also carried out with contractors to ensure that their safety culture and all safety management systems meet TfL’s expectations.
TfL’s contracted transport operators are also subject to national regulation on safety, and independent scrutiny from the Office of Rail and Road and/ or other relevant bodies.
TfL continues to review and improve its safety management and assurance processes as it works towards Vision Zero.

Colour and advertising on London buses

Caroline Pidgeon: In response to a previous question (2014/2606) I was told that there was a limit of 150 London buses being completely covered in advertising from a single company. Does this policy still apply and can you give an assurance that the majority of London’s buses will remain predominately red in colour?

The Mayor: In 2014 the allowance was 150 ‘wraps’ at any one time from an overallfleet of 8,700 buses.
As the overall fleet of buses has grown to over 9,000, Transport for London’s commercial agreement with Global (which sells advertising space on behalf of bus operators) was adjusted to allow for up to 190 buses to carry advertising 'wraps' at any one time. This still only represents around two per cent of the active fleet with the rest of the fleet remaining red, retaining its strong London identity.

Cross City Connect

Florence Eshalomi: What evaluation, if any, has TfL made about the Cross City Connect scheme, which aims to connect HS2 at Old Oak Common to HS1 at Rainham, Kent?

The Mayor: This proposal, put forward by Buro Happold, Bostock and OTB, was submitted to the Oakervee review into HS2.
TfL previously reviewed the proposal and raised some concerns with the proposed alignment, the limited number of stations and the amount of tunnelling required. Together these matters, in their view, are likely to result in a scheme that would have a very high cost but limited benefit. Given this, TfL is not currently planning to appraise this proposal further at this stage.

Wooden Sleepers

Caroline Russell: What assessment has Transport for London (TfL) made of the full impacts of opting for concrete sleepers over wooden ones, including particularly the impact on noise and the sustainability including carbon footprint of railway infrastructure?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s (TfL’s) understanding of noise and vibration has increased significantly since the mid-2000s when this type of track renewal was standard.
TfL now considers the impact on noise and vibration prior to carrying out this type of work. Noise and vibration have been important factors in the development of a new track form – slab track with resilient track fastenings - which has been introduced since 2015 and helps to reduce the amount of vibrational energy transmitted into the ground.
TfL no longer considers installing new timber sleepers due to the difficulties in sourcing suitable sustainable materials, and the overall cost of timber sleepers compared to other types. Changing moisture levels also means that timber sleepers require regular expensive maintenance work to ensure that they remain in a safe condition.

Passengers self-evacuating at North Pole Junction

Caroline Pidgeon: Following the publication on the 20th November 2019 by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch of its investigation into passengers self-evacuating at North Pole junction on the 15th July 2019, what steps is London Overground taking to address the safety issues raised by this investigation?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is in receipt of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch safety digest and the important safety messages it contains. These will be implemented by the operator of London Overground, Arriva Rail London. TfL will oversee implementation to ensure it is thoroughly completed.

Rapid Charge Points

David Kurten: What is the timeline for setting up new rapid charge points, as part of TfL’s £18m investment in electric vehicle infrastructure?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor's Question2019/20960.

Bus Safety Performance Index (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Please provide the names and weighting of all the constituent parts that make up the Bus Safety Performance Index.

The Mayor: The current categories of the ‘baskets of indicators,’ or indicator names and weightings that make up the Bus Safety Performance Index, are outlined below. These are reviewed annually to ensure they remain relevant and aligned to strategic objectives.
Basket
Indicator
Weight
Customer Safety
Fatalities
5
Customer Safety
Specified Injuries
4
Customer Safety
Injuries - Taken to Hospital
3
Customer Safety
Injuries - Treated on Scene
2
Customer Safety
All Assaults
2
Customer Safety
Safety Related Customer Complaints
1
Customer Safety
Fatal Collisions
5
Customer Safety
All VRUTaken to Hospital Injury Collisions
3
Customer Safety
All VRUTreated on Scene Injury Collisions
2
Customer Safety
All Non-VRU Taken to Hospital Injury Collisions
3
Staff Safety
Fatalities (Staff)
5
Staff Safety
Specified Injuries (RIDDOR)
4
Staff Safety
Employee Lost Time Injuries
3
Staff Safety
Minor Employee Injuries
2
Staff Safety
Employee Physical Assault
3
Staff Safety
Employee Verbal Abuse/Threat
1
Staff Safety
Fatalities (Supplier Staff)
5
Staff Safety
Specified Injuries (Supplier Staff)
4
Staff Safety
Major Injuries (Supplier Staff)
3
Staff Safety
Minor Injuries (Supplier Staff)
1
Staff Safety
Supplier Staff Physical Assault
2
Staff Safety
Supplier Staff Verbal Abuse/Threat
1
Staff Safety
Employee D&A Failures
4
Bus Network Safety
Bus Collision With Motorcyclist
3
Bus Network Safety
Bus Collision With Pedestrian
3
Bus Network Safety
Bus Collision With Cyclist
3
Bus Network Safety
Bus Collision With Another Vehicle
1
Bus Network Safety
Bus Collision With Another Bus
1
Bus Network Safety
Bus Collision With A Tree / Overhanging Branch
3
Bus Network Safety
Bus Collision With A Bridge
4
Bus Network Safety
Bus Collision With A Building
4
Bus Network Safety
Bus Collision With Street Furniture
2
Bus Network Safety
Unintended Bus Acceleration
4
Bus Network Safety
Uncontrolled Bus Movement (Rolling)
4
Bus Network Safety
Falls On Buses Leading To Injury
2
Bus Network Safety
Falls On Buses Not Leading To Injury
1
Bus Network Safety
Boarding & Alighting Incidents Leading To Injuries
2
Bus Network Safety
Boarding & Alighting Incidents Not Leading To Injuries
1
Bus Engineering
Bus Engineering Quality (EQM)
2
Bus Engineering
Topside Inspections
1
Bus Engineering
PG9 Issued
2
Bus Engineering
PG9 (S)
3
Bus Engineering
Bus Wheel Loss
3
Bus Engineering
Bus Fires
3
Bus Engineering
Other Safety Critical Mechanical Failures
1
Bus Engineering
Fire Management Systems Failure
1
Driving Standards
CES Score - Driving Standards
1
Driving Standards
CES Score - Serving The Stop
1
Driving Standards
Driver Quality Monitoring (DQM)
2
Driving Standards
Bus Drivers Arrested For Failing D&A Tests
4
Issue Management and Assurance Systems
Total Significant Incidents
2
Issue Management and Assurance Systems
Assurance Activities Completed Late
1
Issue Management and Assurance Systems
Audit Actions Overdue
2
Issue Management and Assurance Systems
H&S Improvement Action Late or Missed
1
Issue Management and Assurance Systems
Senior Manager Safety Tours Missed
1
Issue Management and Assurance Systems
SM3 Actions Overdue
2
Issue Management and Assurance Systems
Bus Miles Lost Due To Safety Related Incidents
1
Issue Management and Assurance Systems
Risk Assessment Reviews Overdue
1
Issue Management and Assurance Systems
High Priority Incident Investigation Actions Overdue
1
Issue Management and Assurance Systems
Incident Investigations Overdue
3
Issue Management and Assurance Systems
DSE Assessments Review Overdue
1
Issue Management and Assurance Systems
Centrecomm Emergency Response Time
2
Issue Management and Assurance Systems
Uncompleted H&S Training Courses
1
Issue Management and Assurance Systems
Prosecutions
4
Issue Management and Assurance Systems
Regulatory Enforcement Actions
3
Issue Management and Assurance Systems
Regulatory Investigations
1
Infrastructure
Overdue PGI Actions
1
Infrastructure
Asset Defect Causing Injury
3
Infrastructure
Building Fires
3
Infrastructure
Failed CCTV System
2
Bus Station Safety
All Injuries Within The Bus Stations/Stands
2
Bus Station Safety
Slips/Trips/Falls Within The Bus Stations/Stands
2
Bus Station Safety
All VRU Collisions Within Bus Stations/Stands
2
Bus Station Safety
Other Collisions Within Bus Stations/Stands
2
Bus Station Safety
All Bus On Bus Collisions Within Bus Stations/Stands
2
Bus Station Safety
Overdue Stations/Stand Risk Assessments
1

Scrappage

Leonie Cooper: How much could individual households receive to scrap their vehicles if they took advantage of all the available schemes including Government plug-in grants?

The Mayor: My Car and Motorcycle Scrappage Scheme helps eligible low income and disabled individuals scrap older, more polluting vehicles. Eligible applicants can access £1,000 to scrap motorcycles or £2,000 to scrap cars that don’t meet the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) emission standards. While there are other schemes available, they don’t support the scrapping of vehicles or, in the case of my Van Scrappage scheme, are targeted at businesses rather than households.
Households may access the national plug-in vehicle grant whether or not they have scrapped a vehicle. These grants are set at varying amounts, for example, £3,500 towards an eligible electric car, and £1,500 towards an eligible electric motorbike. Full details can be found here: www.gov.uk/plug-in-car-van-grants.
I have made £48 million available for scrappage despite no funding from the Government even though Londoners are paying hundreds of millions of pounds in Vehicle Exercise Duty every year. Only a fraction of this money is then spent in the capital. The Government need to create a national scrappage fund targeted at cities across the UK that will support all motorists to ditch their polluting cars, and help clean our filthy air once and for all.

Central London Zero Emission

Leonie Cooper: Can the Mayor provide an update on his commitment in the Environment Strategy to deliver a central London zero emission zone by 2025?

The Mayor: Following the successful implementation of the Ultra Low Emission Zone in April, initial development work on zero emission zones is now underway.
A number of related schemes are already in place, or will soon be delivered. In September 2018 Hackney opened the UK’s first Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Streets scheme in Shoreditch and the City of London is due to deliver the UK’s first zero emission street at Beech Street in early 2020.
I have helped to fund both these schemes and Transport for London (TfL) is also working with the City on a further Zero Emission Zone as part of an EU funded project ‘ReVeAL’ to be delivered in 2022. Further information can be found here https://civitas-reveal.eu/about/. These schemes will be helpful in informing initial thinking on a central London zero emission zone from 2025. In addition, TfL published new guidance in September 2019 to help boroughs introduce zero emission zones on roads that they control, found here https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/boroughs/zero-emission-zones.

Hailo

David Kurten: To ask the Mayor dd TfL’s general manager for taxis and private hire carry out an investigation in 2013 about Hailo’s minimum fare policy, and if so, what was the outcome of that investigation?1
1https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/not-fare-taxi-app-in-10-minimum-charge-8915596.html

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has the legislative power to regulate private hire operators, a number of which offer app-based services. However, to regulate taxi app-based services would require legislative change, as there are no provisions within the current regulatory framework.
This was recognised by the Department for Transport-commissioned Task and Finish Group on taxi and private hire licensing. In the Government’s response to this group it noted that it was not minded to bring taxi apps into the licensing regime.
As a taxi app, Hailo (now known as Free Now) is outside of TfL’s regulatory remit. However, it is a stakeholder that TfL engages with on a regular basis, including in 2013 when concerns regarding its minimum fare policy were raised.
As stated in Mayor's Question2019/14249, for journeys in Greater London taxi drivers must not charge a fare which exceeds the maximum displayed on the meter.

Departure of TfL HSE Director

Keith Prince: On 11 September 2019, Deputy Mayor Heidi Alexander announced that TfL’s HSE Director since 2013 was no longer in the post. Given the HSE Director played a critical role before, during and after the Croydon Tram Crash and that ORR and the Coroner’s inquests associated with that incident are still under way, what reason can you provide for the departure of TfL’s long-serving HSE Director at this critical time?

The Mayor: As part of Transport for London’s (TfL) continued focus on safety, it decided to create a new Safety, Health and Environment directorate (SHE), expanding the existing portfolio of the HSE team. This organisational change is designed to enable TfL to improve the speed with which it meets its Vision Zero objectives across the different transport modes, while continuing to improve the health and wellbeing of its employees and its environmental performance. With the expanded remit of the new directorate, a new Chief Safety Officer – who now sits on TfL’s Executive Committee – needed to have the required skills, knowledge and leadership to lead the new portfolio.

Costings of work to Isolate Tube Noise

Jennette Arnold: Please provide detailed costings, including the cost of track closures, for work to isolate tube noise on the Victoria Line between Highbury and Islington and King’s Cross.

The Mayor: Addressing Tube noise is a priority for me, and I continue to stress to Transport for London (TfL) the importance of minimising noise levels for its neighbours.
Despite a number of financial challenges, TfL invests approximately £260m a year on London Underground track renewal and maintenance. This includes a continuous programme of rail grinding and track modernisation.
TfL does not record data in the format you have requested. Many of the works carried out to address noise and vibration issues are carried out alongside routine maintenance works. In addition, many of the resources used – including both staff and equipment – are not used exclusively to address Tube noise.
As you will be aware following your meeting with my Deputy Mayor for Transport in July 2019, TfL has carried out a range of works in this area to address Tube noise, including joint removal and sleeper grouting. Rail grinding was also carried out in September 2019, and readings taken by TfL at local properties indicate that this work has had a significant positive impact on noise levels.
TfL continues to monitor this area closely, with further readings due to be taken at local properties in January 2020.

Tube closures due to overcrowding

Caroline Pidgeon: In answer to Mayoral Question 2015/4389 from December 2015 I was informed that London Underground is committed to developing ways to collect details of temporary station controls centrally to allow for the better management of stations and for effective learning across the network. I was further informed that methods in development include the modernisation of station log books to make them electronic to encourage the central collection of temporary station controls. Please set out in detail the reasons why this claim by TfL four years ago has not been delivered?

The Mayor: TfL staff are trained to carefully manage passengers flows at busy stations to ensure a safe travel environment. This can involve closing a station for a short period. For example, this mitigation is employed at Seven Sisters station during Tottenham Hotspur F.C. home fixtures, and is part of routine station management.
In 2015, Transport for London (TfL) introduced electronic log books at all Tube stations, which make it quicker and easier for staff to record information. This also allows staff to access key information such as service updates and customer issues. TfL has considered the benefits of centrally recording all temporary station controls, but does not believe this would deliver any significant benefit, given that each station is different in terms of usage, passenger flows and the built environment. I have asked that TfL keep this policy under review.
Every Tube station has a Congestion Control and Emergency Plan (CCEP) that sets out how it is to be operated to prevent overcrowding. Each CCEP is reviewed regularly to ensure that it is correct, and takes into account changing customer flows and changes to infrastructure. Furthermore, London Underground reviews the different methods it uses to manage congestion at busy stations on an ongoing basis. A full investigation is undertaken for all significant safety or operational incidents, in order to ensure that any lessons learnt are incorporated for the future, across its network.
TfL is tackling overcrowding by modernising the network with unprecedented levels of investment in the Tube. This has included projects to significantly increase the capacity of Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and Victoria stations in the past few years. Work is also well underway to modernise Bank Station, with works to increase the capacity of the station by 40 per cent due to be completed by 2022.

Maintenance Programme for the Victoria Line Track

Jennette Arnold: Please provide details of the maintenance programme for the Victoria line track in 2020.

The Mayor: Despite a number of financial challenges, Transport for London (TfL) invests approximately £260m a year on London Underground track renewal and maintenance. This includes a continuous programme of rail grinding and track modernisation.
On the Victoria line, in 2020 TfL will carry out works around Tottenham Hale, Brixton and Victoria to convert the track to flat-bottom rail. This modern rail profile will increase the safety performance of the rail, particularly delivering a significant reduction in the risk of rail breaks.
TfL will also continue to carry out regular inspections of the Victoria line, and carry out works to address any issues. Track walks are undertaken at least once a week, and footage from the train’s automatic track measurement system is reviewed at least three times a week. Further work following these inspections can include sleeper grouting or re-railing, if required.
Rail grinding work is also scheduled to take place on the Victoria line in spring 2020. Rail grinding is used both to maintain the condition of the track, and to address noise and vibrations concerns in certain areas.

Morden town centre

Leonie Cooper: Are you, with the council, on track to begin procurement for a development partner for the Morden town centre regeneration in early 2020?

The Mayor: Both Transport for London (TfL) and London Borough of Merton (LBM) are on track to start procuring a delivery partner in early 2020.
Officers in my Housing and Land team are concluding discussions with TfL and LBM to finalise funding terms and the conditions required for the assembly of third-party land. Once complete, TfL and LBM will start the search for a delivery partner to bring forward this important regeneration project.

Hammersmith Bridge (1)

Leonie Cooper: Please provide an update on the work to develop a temporary, alternative arrangement to the bridge.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has been doing all it can to manage the impact of the closure of Hammersmith Bridge and to support the Council in restoring this vital link. TfL and the Council are currently reviewing the feasibility and cost of the temporary foot and cycle bridge and expect to be in a position to make a decision in the coming months.
TfL has already committed £25 million to the project, which could help fund a temporary bridge which would enable the bridge’s refurbishment to proceed unhindered and at the quickest rate possible.

PHVs and the Congestion Charge (5)

Florence Eshalomi: Please update the London Data Store “Camera Captures and Confirmed Vehicles seen in the Congestion Charge Zone by Month” dataset so figures for March to November 2019 inclusive are provided.

The Mayor: The London Datastore “Camera Captures and Confirmed Vehicles seen in the Congestion Charge Zone by Month” dataset has now been updated with the figures for March to November 2019.

North London Line service on Sundays

Caroline Russell: Constituents have raised concerns with me about North London Line service starting at 9:30 on a Sunday morning. This gap in service severely affects people working shifts who need an early morning service, and forces them into cars or to take much longer journeys via zone 1 which are slower and more expensive than using the North London Line. What possibilities are there to address this issue, which makes using public transport far too difficult?

The Mayor: London Overground operates an eight train per hour service on the North London line at weekends, with the first timetable services starting at 09:00 from Stratford and from Clapham Junction. Transport for London (TfL) is aware of this late start and recognises that it differs from other services. Network Rail, the line’s maintainer, is unable to access the line for routine maintenance overnight as on other lines, due to freight access. They have stated that an earlier start time on Sundays would necessitate closures at other times to accommodate this access. However, TfL will discuss this matter again with Network Rail.

PHVs and the Congestion Charge (1)

Florence Eshalomi: Since 8 April 2019, private hire vehicles entering the Congestion Charge zone between 07:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday, have had to pay the £11.50 daily charge. How many vehicles have paid the charge? Please break down the figures by month.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) monitors the number of unique private hire vehicles (PHVs) seen in the Congestion Charging zone during operational hours. The total number of unique PHVs seen in the zone between 1 April and 30 November 2019 was 75,175. The number of unique PHVs that have paid the charge each month is shown in the table below.
PHVs seen in the Congestion Charging Zone
Month
Unique Vehicles
Apr-19
36,085
May-19
42,920
Jun-19
42,406
Jul-19
42,990
Aug-19
38,223
Sep-19
40,790
Oct-19
41,654
Nov-19
41,256

Rapid Charging Hubs

Leonie Cooper: When in 2020 do you expect to deliver your first of five flagship rapid charging hubs and where in London will it be located?

The Mayor: I am pleased to report that London’s first rapid charging hub was launched in Stratford in December 2019. This received some grant funding from TfL and is the first of five planned across the capital by 2025 as part of London’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan.

First Group TOL’s public statements about Fatigue Management not being a factor in the Croydon Tram Crash

Keith Prince: In your response to Question 2019/12324 you stated that First Group's statements that "Following the tragic incident in 2016, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) concluded that the management of fatigue was not a factor” is "a matter for first group."
Given that (a) First Group TOL's income is derived entirely from a single 30 year contract it has with TfL; and (b) IA 17780 identified a number of manifest deficiencies in First Group TOL's Fatigue Management System, should I interpret your response as an abdication of the safety oversight responsibility which falls on TfL as sole contractor and you as TfL Chair?

The Mayor: No. The opposite is the case. Tram Operations Ltd are obliged to comply with their contractual and statutory obligations. We will forever remember those who lost their lives or were injured in the tragedy at Sandilands. Transport for London (TfL) and I have been active in working to introduce additional safety measures on the tram network and to implement all of the recommendations set out by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again. Regular updates on progress towards the completion of the recommendations are published on TfL’s website via the following link: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/trams/croydon-tram
Safety is my top priority, and TfL shares my Vision Zero commitment to work to ensure the entire transport network is free of death and serious injuries.

New rapid charge points

Florence Eshalomi: What is the timeline for setting up new rapid charge points, as part of TfL’s £18m investment in electric vehicle infrastructure?

The Mayor: Thanks to this investment London has a flourishing public rapid charging network and is one of the leading world cities. By the end 2019, 226 rapid charge points were delivered by TfL, in addition to a further 100 by the private sector. TfL have a target to deliver at least 300 by the end of 2020.
In addition, I am pleased to report that London’s first rapid charging hub was launched in Stratford in December 2019. This received some grant funding from TfL and is the first of five planned across the capital by 2025 as part of London’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan.
London’s rapid charging network is also supported by a growing network of smaller, slower charging points in residential areas. Boroughs participating in London’s £13 million Go Ultra Low City Scheme have installed 1,500 charging points across the capital to help Londoners without access to off-street parking and a further 1,000 are planned for 2020.

Tube noise in Fitzrovia [2]

Andrew Dismore: TfL intend to carry out rail-grinding on the Northbound and Southbound tracks in the Fitzrovia area on the Victoria Line in March, can this be brought forward?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is currently scheduled to carry out further rail grinding on both the northbound and southbound tracks of the Victoria line in the Fitzrovia area in spring 2020.
TfL will take noise readings in this area in January 2020. If noise levels have risen significantly since readings were taken in October 2019, TfL will evaluate its programme of rail grinding work and consider bringing it forward.
TfL officers will update you and local residents on progress shortly.

Upskirting on TFL

Susan Hall: For each of the years December 2016 to November 2017, December 2017 to November 2018 and December 2018 to November 2019, how many reports of upskirting on the TfL network have been recorded?

The Mayor: Between 1 April 2019 and 30 November 2019, the British Transport Police and Metropolitan Police Service recorded 53 offences of upskirting on the Transport for London network.
Prior to April 2019, upskirting was not a specific criminal offence.

Residential Tube Noise (1)

Navin Shah: Your response to Question (2019/17739) addressed the issue of TfL’s response to Tube noise. Additionally, in your letter written on 5 November 2019 responding to the matter of TfL’s response to tube noise, you stated that Pandrol Vanguard track fastenings may reduce the amount of rail grinding. However, new installations have been halted to enable TfL to assess their success and concerns of in-carriage noise. What is your response in the meantime, specifically, to residents who endure the grinding noises for much longer periods of time than Tube riders? When can they expect an acceptable solution to reduce/remove noise? Is there a timetable and programme for the necessary remedial measures that I can let my residents have?

The Mayor: I continue to stress to Transport for London (TfL) the importance of minimising noise levels, and I know TfL is working hard to achieve this.
Despite a number of financial challenges, TfL continues to invest approximately £260m a year on London Underground track renewal and maintenance. This includes a continuous programme of rail grinding and track modernisation.
Since November 2016, TfL has carried out works in the proximity of over 200 homes most affected by noise, installing thousands of new track fastenings, hundreds of metres of new track and grinding rails, and removing rail joints where they are no longer necessary. This has helped to address both in carriage noise as well as residential noise.
In recent months, TfL has also carried out a targeted programme of rail grinding at key sites across the network, which has reduced residential noise levels. TfL is also trialling a new type of track fastening that they hope will replicate noise and vibration benefits for local residents, while also addressing in-carriage noise. TfL will share further information about the potential installation of this alternative track fastening elsewhere on the network by Summer 2020.

Residential Tube Noise (2)

Navin Shah: In your letter written on 5 November 2019 addressing the issue of TfL’s response to Tube noise, you wrote that the TfL has “carried out a targeted programme of rail grinding at key sites which, at many locations, has led to a reduction in both in-carriage and residential noise.” Can you provide proof of this reduction in each of the key sites that were targeted?

The Mayor: Transport for London has carried out targeted grinding on the Central, Jubilee, Northern and Victoria lines over recent months.
On average, post-grind noise measurements have found that in-carriage noise levels were significantly reduced:
Line
Average reduction of in-carriage noise levels, following grinding (dB)
Central
10
Jubilee
13
Northern
19
Victoria
2
Significant reduction in noise levels have also been achieved as part of this grinding programme at known residential noise hotspots, by up to 12dB. This includes South Wimbledon to Morden on the Northern line, and Highbury and Islington to King’s Cross on the Victoria line.

Overcrowding on the 55 and 26 Bus Routes at Peak Times (2)

Jennette Arnold: My constituents report severe overcrowding on bus routes through Hackney Central at peak times, particularly on the 55 and 26 routes going towards Shoreditch. This means that at peak times buses are unable to stop and take on more passengers due to being at capacity. Please explain how TfL are responding to this capacity issue and how you are ensuring that my constituents are able to get to work and school on time.

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor's Question 2019/20789.

Route 4 and Freedom Pass Usage

Jennette Arnold: Please provide details of freedom pass usage on the 134 bus route from August 2018-November 2019 broken down by months.

The Mayor: This table shows the number of passenger journeys on route 4 made using a Freedom Pass (to the nearest 1,000) by financial period from August 2018 to November 2019.

Bus Route 134 and Freedom Pass Usage

Jennette Arnold: Please provide details of freedom pass usage on the 134 bus route from August 2018-November 2019 broken down by months.

The Mayor: This table shows the number of passenger journeys on route 134 made using a Freedom Pass (to the nearest 1,000) by financial period from August 2018 to November 2019.

TfL Buses and Pedestrian Fatalities

Keith Prince: In 2018, TfL Bus Collisions constituted 16% of all pedestrian fatalities in London. Do you know of any other city in the world where a public bus service is responsible for such a high proportion of total pedestrian road deaths?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) doesn’t hold data on the proportion of pedestrian fatalities occurring in other capital cities.
It is intolerable that anyone should be killed in or by a bus, and that is why TfL is working to eliminate such tragedies by 2030 as part of my Vision Zero commitment. As part of this, TfL has developed measures including safer and better designed vehicles through its Bus Safety Standard – and we are starting to see these on London’s streets. TfL has also designed specific safety training for bus drivers which uses the latest virtual reality headsets and looks at vulnerable road users and the risks they face. TfL is also tackling wider concerns like bus driver fatigue to bring down casualties in a systematic way.
TfL and I are confident that these comprehensive and evidence-led measures give us a solid platform to progressively tackle complex risks and put bus fatalities on a steady downward path from now to 2030.

Braille handrails

Caroline Russell: A constituent has drawn my attention to guidance on accessible station design from Japan, which shows the use of braille on handrails to provide navigational information (https://tokyo2020.org/en/organising-committee/accessibility/data/accessibility-guidelines_EN.pdf ). Will you ask Transport for London (TfL) to review this practice and consider its use in London?

The Mayor: Simple things like providing good contrast signage are so important for an accessible transport network. Given that the vast majority of people registered blind do not read braille implementing braille on handrails would not be the most effective use of resources. Regular platform announcements should inform blind and visually impaired people which platform, line and direction they are travelling while technological developments may offer alternative ways to help people to navigate the network.
Significant progress has also been made to improve the accessibility of the transport network. This has included TfL reviewing its staff training and are currently developing new Disability Equality Training for bus drivers.